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Climber Wall ShrubConservatory Greenhouse

Solanum laxum 'Coldham'

potato vine 'Coldham'

A scrambling, semi-evergreen climber with glossy, dark green leaves. In summer and autumn bears small clusters of fragrant, star-shaped flowers pale purple at first, ageing to white

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Plant nurseries
3 suppliers

Ultimate height

4–8 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Solanaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Climbing
Genus: Solanum can be annuals, perennials, evergreen or deciduous shrubs or twining climbers, with simple or pinnnately lobed leaves and star- or bowl-shaped, 5-lobed flowers with prominent stamens, followed by fleshy fruits
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based compost in full light shaded from hot sun, or bright indirect light. Grow outdoors in moist but well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil in full sun. Support plants and tie in regularly

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 12 after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and glasshouse red spider mite under glass

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), tomato spotted wilt virus and grey moulds under glass

Get involved

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